All-MEAC RB Devan James will conclude his collegiate career when the MSU faces the Pirates this weekend in Hampton, Va.
MSU vs Hampton Gamenotes
2009 MORGAN STATE FOOTBALL
Game Eleven
Saturday, November 21 – 1:00 p.m. (ET)
Morgan State (5-5, 3-4 MEAC) vs. Hampton (5-5, 3-4 MEAC)
Hampton, Va. – Armstrong Stadium (17,000)
Live Coverage
Radio: WEAA Radio (88.9 FM) in Baltimore, Md. A. Lamont Germany (Play-by-Play) and Kelvin Bridgers (Color Analyst).
BEAR FACTS
2009 Record: 5-5, 3-4 MEAC
Head Coach: Donald Hill-Eley
Alma Mater/Year: Virginia Union/1991
Record at Bear/Year: 41-48/8th
Career Record/Years: Same
Football SID: Leonard L. Haynes IV
Office Phone: 443-885-3831
E-Mail: lhaynesiv@aol.com
Ticket Info: 443-885-3830
SERIES FACTS
Games Played: 58
Series Record: Morgan State leads 35-21-2
Last Meeting: Hampton won, 17-13 at Hughes Stadium (Nov. 22, 2008)
Current Streak: Hampton 6
Hill vs. Hampton: 1-6
Setting the Scene: The Morgan State football team continues its 112th season of football on Saturday, Nov. 21 as they conclude the 2009 season when they travel to square-off against Hampton in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference action at Armstrong Stadium in Hampton, Virginia. The contest will be broadcast live on WEAA, 88.9FM.
The Bears (5-5) losing streak was extended to four games as a result of a 37-13 loss last Saturday against top-ranked South Carolina State who clinched the MEAC Title with the win. Hampton enters this weekend's matchup coming off a surprising 25-0 shutout against Florida A&M. The Pirates improved to 5-5 overall and are 3-4 in the MEAC. MSU's loss last Saturday dropped head coach Donald Hill-Eley's all-time record to 41-48 ten games into his eighth season at the helm. Hill's 41 wins since 2002, is good enough for third-best all-time record behind legendary coaches Edward P. Hurt and Earl. C. Banks. Kick-off is slated for 1:00 p.m. (EST). The game will be streamed LIVE on the internet at MorganStateBears.com.
Series Notes: MSU and Hampton meet for the 59th time ... The two schools are 200 miles apart from each other... MSU leads the series 35-21-2, but will enter the contest with a 6-game losing streak to the Pirates ... Hampton outlasted the bears 17-13 at Hughes Stadium in the 2008 season-finale ... The last time the Bears defeated Hampton was during Donald Hill-Eley's first season as MSU head coach on Nov. 23, 2002 at Armstrong Stadium (52-42) ... During the 2008 matchup, RB Devan James, who entered the game as the MEAC's leading rusher (111.4/g), finished the contest with 112 yards on 25 carries ... The Bears recorded a 13-6 win against Hampton in 1930 under coach Eddie P. Hurt ... Donald Hill-Eley has a 1-6 record against the Pirates ...
INTERESTING MATCHUP
MSU's offensive unit will be put to the test against one of the best defenses in the MEAC. Hampton is the league's No.2 ranked rushing defense by limiting opponents to 115.2 yards per game and rank No. 3 in scoring defense by limiting opponents to 19.7 points per game.
ONE TO WATCH
Senior LB George Howard has been one of the standouts on the defensive side of the ball. The 6-1, 230-pound Virginia native and 2009 Preseason All-MEAC second team selection ranks No. 6 in the Football Championship Subdivision in total tackles and is currently the MEAC's leading tackler with 116 stops. “The Hitman” has been named the MEAC Defensive Player of the Week three times and collected a game-high 17 tackles against B-CU. Howard has been selected three times this season as the MEAC Defensive Player of the Week and will be a strong candidate for MEAC Defensive Player of the Year honors.
HAMPTON'S LAMARCUS COKER
Hampton RB LaMarcus Coker is the No. 1 running back in the MEAC and will be a strong candidate for the MEAC's top honors this season. Coker, (5'10, 195, SR), currently ranks No. 15 in the FCS in rushing (96.9/g) and is ranked No. 5 in scoring touchdowns (7 TDs). Coker had 10 carries for 50 yards against Florida A&M last Saturday.
JAMES READY TO FINISH THE SEASON STRONG
All-MEAC RB Devan James will conclude his collegiate career this weekend against the Hampton Pirates. James started for the first time this season in the Bears win against Towson and tallied 81 yards on 19 carries, scored his only TD of the season against N.C. A&T, and posted a season-best 133 yards vs. Florida A&M. He currently ranks No. 4 in MSU school history with 2,370 career rushing yards. James suffered an abdominal strain during the preseason. Last year against the Pirates, James posted 112 yards on 25 carries and finished the season with 1,337 yards and 8 TDs.
